Latch mechanism



5. DE ORLOW 2,391,884

LATCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. 22, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Si e 9Z2)? .Zeflrlam 72 48 B E he. i

' ATTOR Patented Jan. 1, 1946 LATCH MECHANISM Stephen De Orlow, Jackson,.Mich., assignor to Hancock Manufacturing Company, Jackson, Mich, a corporation'of Michigan Application August 22, 1941, Serial No.'407,859

1'7 Claims.

The present invention relates to latchingdevices, and in particular is directed to the provision of an improved latch for automobile body closure, such as hoods.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a latch of the above-indicated character which is simple in construction, economical of manufacture, and which is reliable and efficient in operation; to provide such 'a latch, characterized as having an'impro-Ved take up action; to provide such a latch wherein the latch elementsbecome effective at a partially closed position of the associated hood or other part and, while effective to prevent a re-opening movement thereof, nevertheless enable the closing movement to be completed; to provide such a construction embodying a bolt member adapted to be advanced relative to one or more wedge-like'elements which are effective, throughout a range from a partially closed to an entirely closed position of the hood, to prevent a re-opening movement of the parts; and to provide such a structure embodying improved means for effecting the release of the wedging elements from the bolt, so as to enable the hood or other closure part to be opened.

With the above, as well as other and more-detailed objects in view, which appear in the following description and in the appended claims,

preferred but illustrative embodiments of the in- I vention are shown in the accompanying drawings, throighout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in side -elevation of an automobile equipped with the latch of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail view, taken along the line 2-2 of 'Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a vow in vertical section, taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 3, but showing the parts in a partially open or safety position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the wedgeplates employed in the present latch;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding generally to Figure 2 but illustrating a modification of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7 Fig.9 is a view in vertical section, taken'along the line 9-9 of Figure 7; and

standing of the present invention that, in a generic sense, the improvements of the present invention may be embodied in latches intended for widely differing purposes, and that such latches may be variously constructed. In'a preferred embodiment, the present improvements are utilized to provide a latch for association with vehicle hoods of the so-called alligator type, and by way of illustration-the inventionis so disclosed herein.

Referring tothe'drawings, the engine compartment of the illustrated-vehicle is provided with a, hood or lid l0, which may be suitably hingedby means not shown for swinging movement about a horizontal axis located adjacent the cowl l2 of the vehicle. The hood Ill is provided on its underside with an inwardly turned flange M, which seats upon a correspondingly inwardly turned flange l6, associated with the cooperating enclosing-panel l8.

The latch mechanism of the present invention comprises arbolt 20, the lower portion whereof is somewhat/enlarged, as indicated at 22, and the end 24 whereof is of conical formation to facilivtate the centering of the keeper relative to the associated latch parts. The bolt 20 is suitably and rigidly secured to a plate-like bracket 26, which, in turn, is rigidly secured within the hood Hi. In the closed position of the parts, shown in Figures ;3 and '4, the bolt 20is engaged by a plurality of wedge plates 28,30 and 32, which wedge plates are supported in a. 'U-shaped bracket 34, which is secured to the underside of a bracket 36. The bracket 36 is 'rigidlysecured to the bodyportion J8 of the vehicle and is provided with an opening 38 through which the nose of the bolt 20 is projected during a closing movement of the parts.

The wedge plates 28, 30 and 32 are provided with generally rectangular body portions which are loosely received within the bracket 34. The plates Stand 32 are provided with short oppositely directed projections 42, which project through an opening 44 and a slot 46, which are provided at the respectively opposite sides of the bracket 34. The uppermost plate 28 is provided with one such projection 42, and is also provided at its other side with a longer projection 48, which constitutes an operating tab, whichmay be engaged by the hereinafter described mechanism,

so as to uncock the plates 28, 30 and 32 and en able an opening movement of the hood ID.

The wedge plates 28, 30 and 32 are provided with elliptical openings 45 therein, the minor diameter whereof is but slightly in excess of the diameter of the head 22 of the bolt 20, and the major diameter whereof is sufliciently in excess of the diameter of the head 22 to allow for approximately the amount of cocking of the plates shown in Figure 4,

The base 52 of the bracket 34, which is apertured to permit the passage of the end of the bolt 29 therethrough, affords a seat for a compression spring 50, which bears against the plate 32 and urges all of the plates upwardly, as viewed in Figures 3 and 4. The ends 54 of the spring 50 areturned downwardly and are hooked through openings provided therefor in the base 52 of the bracket, so as to hold the spring 50 in place.

The upward force of the spring 50 tends to rock the wedge plates 28, 30 and 32 in a counter-- clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4, the axis of such rotation being the point of engagement between the uppermost plate 28 and the marginal edge of the bracket opening 44;

The hood l and the bolt 20 are continuously urged in an upward or openin direction, by means of a compression spring 60, which surrounds the bolt 20. One end of the spring 60 is seated over a downwardly extending boss 62 formed in the supporting plate 26, and the other end of the spring seats against a retainin collar 64, which also freely surrounds the bolt 20. The central opening 66 in the retainer 64 is smaller than the enlarged head portion 22 of the bolt 20, and when the parts are in the open position, this retainer seats against the shoulder provided at the upper end of the head 22 and thus retains the spring 60 in assembled relation to the bolt 20.

The means for uncooking the wedge plates 28, 30 and 32 comprises a bell crank lever 10, which is pivoted by means of a pin 12 to an ear l struck from the plate 36. One arm 16 of the bell crank extends upwardly through the opening 14, which is produced in forming the ear l5, and is adapted for connection to a suitable operating element 18. The element 18 is herein illustrated as a flexible cable which may extend to and be connected to an operatin button 80, provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle. The other arm 82 of the bell crank 10 extends over the previously mentioned foot 48 provided on the uppermost wedge plate 28, and it will be understood that a clockwise rotation of the bell crank 10, as viewed in Figures 3 and 5, is effective, through the foot 48, to rock the wedge plates 28, 30 and 32 in a clockwise direction, which action releases them from holding engagement With the bolt, as described below. Upon release of the operating button 80, the bell crank 10 is restored to the position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, by means of a hairpin spring 84 or equivalent element, which acts to continuously urge the lever 10 in a counterclockwise direction. I'he engagement of the arm 82 with the underside of the plate 36 affords limit to such counterclockwise rotation.

Before proceeding to a description of the operation of the present structure, it is noted that the latch mechanism described above may be and preferably is provided with a safety catch 90, havgages underneath the marginal edge 94 of an opening provided therefor in the lower plate 36. Catch 93 may be and preferably is formed of spring material, and one end thereof is rigidly secured as by rivet 96 to a. downwardly projecting flange 98 provided on the upper plate 26. With this relation, it will be understood that the spring action of catch 90 normally urges the v hook 92 to a position in registry'with'the cooperating portion 94. When the parts are open to the position shown in Figure 5, however, the

- intermediate part of the catch 90 is accessible and the person opening the hood may apply pressure a 94 and earns the catch 9!] to the right far enough .fully open position.

to clear such portion 94. The length of the catch is preferably such that the opening movement produced by the spring 60, when the wedge plates 23, 33 and 32 are released, is sufficient to bring the parts to the position shown in Figure 5. In such position, further opening movement of the hood, under the influence of the still loaded spring 65, is prevented by the catch 90.

The parts are shown in the fully closed position in Figures 3 and 4, in which figures the cooking spring 50 is effective to hold the wedge plates 28, 30 and 32 in a slightly cocked position. In this cocked position, the marginal edges of the openings 45 therein or maximum lradius bear against respectively opposite sides of the head 22 of the bolt 20, and as will be understood, the wedging action thus afforded positively prevents an upward movement of the head 22 relative to the wedge plates. Any tendenc to produce such an upward movement tends to increase the inclination of the plates and increases the hold- Assuming it is desired to open the hood ID, .the bell crank 10 may be rotated in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 5, which action lowers the arm 82, and through its engagement with the foot 48, rocks the plates 28, 30 and 32 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4. This action releases the head 22 from the holding effect thereof, and enables the bolt 20 to freely move upwardly under the influence of the spring 60. If the safety catch 90. is not released, as described above, this opening.

movement is interrupted at the partially open position shown in Figure 5, but by retracting the catch-90, the hood l0 may be opened to the During a. closing movement of the hood ID, the safety catch initially rides over the portion 94 and again becomes operative when the parts reach the position shown in Figure 5. At this time, the enlarged head 22 of the bolt 20 is out of range of the plates 28, 3B and 32. As the closing movement continues, the nose 24 of the bolt 20 is projected through the openings 45 in the wedge plates 28, 30 and 32. Under the conditions stated; assuming the bell crank in has been released, the plates 28, 30 and 32 are retained in the cooked position by means of the spring 50. The movement therethrough of the head 22 may be expected to slightly uncock these plates in opposition to the force exerted by the spring 50, but as will be understood, such plates are ineffective to materially oppose the movement of the bolt 20.

As soon as the lower end of the head 22 passes completely through the uppermost wedge plate 28, the latter becomes effective to appl a wedg-,

ing force thereto, which prevents a. re-opening movement of the hood I except by again operating the bell crank "I0. As the downward movement of the bolt 20 is continued, the other plates 30 and 32 become successively effective. The

holding action of the wedge plates thus takes 7 effect at a position of the hood I 0, which is intermediate the position of Figure 5 and the position of Figure 3. From the time the hood reaches such intermediate position, however, until it reaches the fully closed position, the wedge plates are effective to prevent a re-openmovement thereof. Thus, if the operator fails to entirely close the hood, it is nevertheless effectively locked against a re-opening movement by the action of the wedge plates against the bolt and, moreover, any further closing movement, resulting from jarring the hood during operation of the vehicle or otherwise, is immediately taken up by the wedge plates.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures '7, 8, 9, and 11 distinguishes from the above described embodiment thereof principally in that the releasing mechanism functions, when operated to release the hood, to enable the fulcrum point of the wedge plates to be freely elevated. Thus, the swinging movement of the* wedge plates, when released, is in the direction in which such wedge plates are urged by the hood lifting spring, which arrangement is found in practice to facilitate the unlatching action.

Referring more particularly to Figures '7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the bolt is secured, as previously described, to a bracket 25, which corresponds to the previously described bracket 25, and is secured within the body of the hood I0. When the parts are in the closed position of Figure 8, the head 22 of the bolt projects downwardly through an opening 36 formed in the lower supporting plate 35', and also projects through an opening provided at the bottom of the U-shaped bracket 34', which supports the wedge plates I20 and I22. The plates I20 and I22 are shown in the perspective view, Figure 11. As before, these plates have generally rectangular body portions and the plate I 22 has short tabs I24 projecting from the opposite sides thereof. The plate I 20 has one such tab I24 projecting from one'side thereof, and has a longer tab I25 projecting from the opposite side thereof. The tab I26 has its end portion I28 rounded to form a bearing arrangement for co-operation with the hereinafter described releasing cam I30. The plates I20 and I22 are provided with generally central openings of elliptical form, and the major and minor diameters of these openings are related to the diameter of the bolt head 22 in the previously described manner. As before, also, the plates I20 and I22 are loosely received in the bracket 34.

In the present instance, the left-hand leg of the bracket 34', as viewed in Figure 8, is provided with an elongated slot I32, which receives the tabs I24 of the plates I20 and I 22. The righthand leg of the bracket 34', as viewed in Figure 8, is provided with a slot I34 which receives the other tab I24 of the plate I22 and also receives the tab I26 of the plate I20.

In accordance with the previously described arrangement, a suitable spring 50 is seated :between the plates I20 and I22 and the lower "surface of the bracket 34', and continuously applies an upward force to the plates I20 and I22.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the holding and releasing means for the wedge plates I20 and I22 comprises the cam member I30, which cam member has aeenerally planar body portion I38, an offset end portion I40, and an oflset camming surface I42. The latter surface has end portions I42a and M21) which are substantially parallel to the body portion I38, and an angularly extendingcentral portion I420. The cam member 130 is secured to the underside of the mounting plate 36' by means of a rivet I44, and is continuously urged in a clockwise or looking direction, as viewed in Figure 7, by means of a hairpin spring I46. The spring I46 surrounds th rivet I44, and the respectively opposite ends thereof act directly against the cam member I30 and the mounting plate 36",

In the locked position of the parts, shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the-member I30 "is turned to its locking position, in which the'holding surface I421) of the member I30 lies immediately above and is engaged by the tab I26 associated with the upper wedge plat I20. In this position of the parts, it will be appreciated that the cam member I30 is effective to prevent an upward movement of the right-hand sides of the wedge plates I20 and I22, as viewed in Figure 8. which action enables the spring 50 to cook the plates in the relation shown in Figure 8. When cocked, the plates I20 and I22 are effective to prevent an opening movement of the :bolt '20,-

swing the member I30 in a counterclockwise surface I420: thereof is in vertical registry with 1 As soon as "the holding surface I42b passes out of co-operative'relation to the the tab I26.

tab I26, the upward force exerted on thehood by the main spring 60 is enabled to initiate the opening movement of the hood I0. the wedge plates are released, also, the spring 50 is enabled to swing them to a horizontal posi- 45 tion, in which position they loosely receive the bolt 20 and do not interfere with the continued opening movement of the hood.

As will be understood, the cam member I30 may be released at any time after the bolt head 22 passes above the uppermost plate I20. As

soon as the member I '30 is released, as by a release of the operator I8, the spring I46 associated therewith is effective to rock it in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure "7, which causes 65 the angularly directed surface I 420 thereof 'to traverse the tab I28 and cam the right-hand edges of the "wedge-plates downwardly, as viewed in Figure 8. This downward movement of the right-hand edges of the wedge plates cocks these plates, since the left-hand edges thereof are maintained in an elevated position by the spring 50. It may be'expected that-thespring .50, under the conditions stated, willbe efiective to produce a degree of cocking somewhat in excess of that shown in Figure 8. Thefinal clockwisemove ment of the member I30 brings the holding surface I 42'!) into holding relationship-to the wedge plates I20 and I22, 'as'will'be understood.

During a 'clo'singmovement of thehood III, as

-before, the tapered nose of the bolt 20 passes downwardly through the opening 38 .and also passes downwardly-through the wedgeaplates I20 and I22. Thisdownward movement of the bolt 20 will'be expected'toslightly uncock the plates I20 1 and I22by anamount sufil-cienttoenable thebolt In order to'effect an opening movement-of the As soon as head 22 to pass therethrough. As soon as the head 22 of the bolt passes entirely through the upper plate I20, any tendency to cause the bolt by a safety catch I50 which has a hooked portion I52 for co-operation with the keeper surface I54 provided On the bracket- 30'. The safety catch I50 is provided with an angularextension I55 which passes loosely through an opening I56 in the bracket 26, and is also provided with an extension I58 which is loosely received between a portion I60 of the bracket 26 and the upper end of the liftingspring 60.

When the parts are in thefully closed position shown in the figures, therefore, the spring 60 is efiective to hold the safety catch 90 in the indicated active position and prevent rattling there-' of. In this position of the parts, however, the hand-hold I 62 may be lifted, which action swings the safety catch I50 in a clockwise direction about a fulcrum point lying within the opening I56, during which clockwise rotation the spring 60 is slightly compressed.

In all other respectsexcept those specifically described above, the construction, arrangement and operation of the embodiment of Figures 7 through'll may, and preferably do, correspond to those of the embodiment of Figures 1 through 6, and it is believed, therefore, that a more detailed description is unnecessary. v

Although only several specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be evident that various further modifications in the form, number and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a latch element carried by one member, a plurality of holding elementscarried by the other member, each said holding element being efifective to grip said latch element, said holding elements being yieldable, to enable relative movement between said members in one direction but to prevent said relative movement in j the other direction, and spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action.

3. In a latch for associationcbetween;relatively movablemembers, a latch element carried by-one member, a' plurality of holding elements carried by the other member, each said holding element being efiective to grip said latch element, said holding elements functioning to hold said parts 7 in predetermined position relative to each other,

said holding elements being movable between.

gripping and released positions, means for biasing said holding elements to said gripping position, and spring means acting between said-members in a direction to increase said gripping action.

4. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a latch element carried by one member, a plurality of holding elements carried by the other member, each said holding element being eflective to grip said latch element, said holding elements functioning to hold said parts in predetermined position relative to each other, spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action, and releasing means for moving said holding elements out of gripping relation to said latch element.

5. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried by one member, a holding plate carried by the other member and having an opening through which the bolt passes, said plate being eiIective to grip said bolt and hold said members in predetermined position relative to each other, and spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action.

6. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried by one member, a holding plate carried by the other member and having an opening through which the bolt passes so as to enable said plate to grip said bolt, said plate being effective to permit movement of the bolt relative thereto in one direction but to prevent such movement in the opposite direction,

and spring means acting between said members I in a direction to increase said gripping action.

7. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried by one member, a holding plate carried by the other member and having an opening through which the bolt passes,

said plate being effective to grip said bolt and hold said members in predetermined position relative to each other, said plate being movable between gripping and released positions, means for biasing said plate to the gripping position, and spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action.

8. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried by one member, a holding plate carried by the other member and having an opening through which the bolt passes, said plate being eiIective to grip said bolt and hold said members in predetermined position relative to each other, spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action, and means for moving said plate out of gripping relation to said bolt.

9. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried by one of said members and having an axially extending gripping surface, a plurality of holding plates each having an opening through which the bolt passes, said holding plates being efiective to grippingly engage at any point along said surface so as to hold said members at a predetermined position relative to each other, and spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action.

10. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried by one of said members and having an axially extending gripping surface, a plurality of holding plates each having an opening through which the bolt passes, said holding plates being effective to grippingly engage at any point along said surface so as to hold said members at a predetermined position relative to each other, said plates being superposed one upon the other and being cantable relative to the bolt between gripping and released positions, and spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action.

11. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a bolt carried byone of said members and having an axially extending gripping surface, a plurality of holding plates each having an opening through which the bolt passes, said holding plates being effective to grippingly engage at any point along said surface so as to hold said members at a predetermined position relative to each other, said plates being superposed one upon the other and being cantable relative to the bolt between gripping and released positions, means for biasing said plates to the gripping position, spring means acting between said members in a direction to increase said gripping action, and releasing means for moving said plates to the released position.

12. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a latch element carried by one member, a holding element carried by the other member for gripping said latch element to hold said members against relative movement in at least one direction, means for supporting said holding element so that a force tending to effect said relative movement serves to increase said gripping effect, and means for controlling said support so that said force tending to cause a said relative movement is enabled to move said holding element and relieves said gripping effect.

13. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a latch element carried by one member, a holding element carried by the other member for gripping said latch element to hold said members against relative movement in at least one direction, means for supporting said holding element so that a, force tending to effect said relative movement serves to increase said gripping effect, means for controlling said support so that said force tending to cause a said relative movement is enabled to move said holding element and relieves said gripping efiect, and spring means acting between said members to apply said force.

14. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a latch element carried by one member, a tiltable holding element carried by the other member for frictionally gripping said latch element to hold said members against relative movement in at least one direction, means for supporting said holding element so that a force tending to effect said relative movement serves to increase said gripping effect, said supporting means including an abutment engageable by one portion of said holding element for preventing such portion from moving in said one direction,

and means for rendering said abutment inefiec-' tive whereby said force tending to cause a said relative movement is enabled to move said holding element and relieves said gripping efiect.

15. In a latch for association between relatively movable members, a latch element carried by one member, a tiltable holding element carried by the other member for frictionally gripping said latch element to hold said members against relative movement in at least one direction, means for supporting said holding element So that a force tending to efiect said relative movement serves to increase said gripping effect, said supporting means including an abutment engageable by one portion of said holding element for preventing such portion from moving in said one direction, spring means for urging said holding element into tilted gripping relation to said latch element, and means for rendering said abutment ineffective whereby said force tending to cause a said relative movement is enabled to move said holding element and relieves said gripping effect. a

16. The structure of claim 14 wherein said latch element includes a post and said holding element includes an apertured tiltable plate through which the post passes and which, when tilted, frictionally grips the post. a

17. The structure of claim 15 wherein said latch element includes a post and said holding element includes an apertured tiltable plate through which the post passes and which, when tilted, frictionally grips the post.

ST E E ORLOW, 

